Each type of coffee machine offers its own coffee brewing experience, allowing the user to enjoy a personalised and satisfying cup of coffee in the comfort of their own home. According to each type of extraction, coffee machines are divided and subdivided into different categories.
With a wide variety of coffee makers available, it is important to explore and discover the type that best suits your needs and preferences.
Manual drip coffee machines
Some characteristics of manual drip coffee machines:
- Total control: Manual drip coffee makers offer greater control over coffee brewing, as you can adjust the amount of water and coffee and the speed at which the water is poured over the ground coffee.
- Artisanal brewing: By brewing coffee by hand, you feel closer to the process and enjoy the result more.
- Less waste: By not relying on disposable capsules or filters, you produce less waste and reduce your environmental impact.
- Compact design: Manual drip coffee brewers tend to be more compact and lightweight than electric brewers, making them ideal for travel or small spaces.
- Unique flavours and aromas: By controlling all aspects of brewing, unique flavours and aromas can be achieved to suit personal tastes.
- Easy to clean: Manual drip coffee makers are easy to clean and maintain with no electrical components.
- No electricity required: Manual drip coffee brewers do not require an electrical connection, making them ideal for situations without electricity or in emergencies.
Hario V60
- Method of preparing filtered coffee with a conical shape and a V-shaped spiral inside.
- Uses a paper filter and is placed over a cup or carafe.
- Ideal for experimenting with different brewing methods to obtain a high-quality coffee and a clean, balanced cup with a precise and controlled extraction.
Chemex
- Uses the drip filtration method to brew coffee.
- It consists of an hourglass-shaped glass container with a narrow neck and a wooden or plastic collar.
- It produces a clean, clear coffee with a smooth, balanced taste, bringing out the natural flavours and aromas of the coffee.
- The sleek and stylish design of the Chemex makes it popular as a display piece in the kitchen or on the table.
Kalita Wave
- Flat cone-shaped design with three holes in the base allows for an even and constant flow of water through the ground coffee.
- Its wave-shaped paper filter helps to maintain the natural flavour and aroma of the coffee, while retaining any residue at the bottom of the cup.
- Easy to use and clean.
- Allows greater control over coffee brewing and taste.
Melitta Filter
- Truncated plastic or ceramic cone with holes on the bottom and grooves on the inside.
- It is placed over a cup or carafe and a paper filter is inserted into the cone where the ground coffee is added.
- It produces a clean, clear coffee in the cup, with balanced flavours and a smooth texture compared to other brewing methods.
Cloth filter
- A cloth filter is used instead of a paper or metal filter for brewing.
- The cloth filter allows the water to filter slowly, which allows the natural oils and flavours of the coffee to come through in the final brew, creating a richer, fuller tasting cup of coffee.
- Cloth filters are reusable and durable, making them an economical and environmentally friendly option.
Neapolitan Coffee Maker
- Consists of three main parts: a base, a screw filter in the middle and a top similar to the base.
- It produces a strong, concentrated coffee, similar to espresso, with a rich and complex flavour.
Electric drip coffee machines
Some characteristics of electric drip coffee machines:
- Automation: Electric drip coffee makers are fully automated, which means they are easy to use and do not require much effort. The user only has to add water and coffee, and the machine does the rest.
- Capacity: These coffee makers have a capacity to make large quantities of coffee at once, making them ideal for homes and offices with multiple coffee consumers.
- Temperature control: Most electric drip coffee makers have a built-in temperature control, allowing you to adjust the water temperature for optimal coffee extraction.
- Paper filter: Most electric drip coffee makers use paper filters, which means there is no need to worry about cleaning the filter after use.
- Timer: Some electric drip coffee makers come with programmable timers that allow you to set the time when the coffee maker should start brewing coffee.
- Maintenance: Electric drip coffee makers are easy to maintain, as they only need to be cleaned regularly to maintain a fresh taste and prevent mineral build-up.
Metal filter coffee machines
Some features of metal filter coffee machines:
- Reusable filter: They have a reusable metal filter instead of using disposable paper filters. This means they are more environmentally friendly and can also save money in the long run.
- Higher oil and sediment retention: Because the metal filter is not as fine as the paper filter, it allows more oils and sediment to pass through into the coffee, which can improve the taste and texture of the coffee.
- Coarser grind: To make the most of the capacity of metal filter brewers, it is recommended to use a coarser coffee grind than would be used for a regular drip brewer.
- Manual brewing: Unlike electric drip coffee brewers, metal filter coffee brewers require manual brewing and constant attention to control temperature and brewing time.
- Stylish design: Metal filter coffee makers often have a sleek, modern design, making them perfect for decorating the kitchen or office.
- Size and capacity: Metal filter coffee machines come in different sizes and capacities, from one cup to more than six cups, making them suitable for different needs and situations.
- Maintenance: Metal filter coffee makers require proper maintenance, including regular cleaning of the filter and removal of sediment accumulated in the bottom of the container.
Italian Coffee Maker
- Iconic design with two chambers separated by a metal filter.
- Quickly and easily prepare espresso coffee at home.
- Simple operation: water in the lower chamber and ground coffee in the metal filter.
- The water is heated and creates pressure, which causes it to rise and pass through the ground coffee, extracting flavours and aromas in the form of espresso in the upper chamber.
- Popular choice for those who want to enjoy espresso coffee at home without having an expensive espresso machine.
- It allows you to obtain a strong, concentrated coffee with an intense flavour.
Immersion coffee machines
Some characteristics of immersion coffee machines:
- Brewing process: Immersion coffee brewers require ground coffee to be immersed in hot water for a set period of time, allowing for a slow and thorough extraction of the coffee flavours.
- Time control: Most immersion coffee brewers have some type of timer built in to help control the coffee extraction time.
- Temperature control: Immersion coffee brewers do not usually have temperature control, so the temperature of the water will depend on how hot the water is heated before the coffee is added.
- Capacity: Immersion coffee brewers vary in size and capacity, ranging from single cups to large carafes that can brew several litres of coffee at a time.
- Brewing time: Unlike electric drip coffee brewers, immersion coffee brewers often require a longer brewing time, which can be a disadvantage for those who need a cup of coffee quickly.
- Flavour: Immersion coffee brewers are considered one of the best options for brewing coffee with a smooth and balanced flavour, as the immersion process allows for a full extraction of the coffee flavours.
- Cleaning: Immersion coffee brewers may require more time and effort to clean than other coffee brewing options, especially if using cloth or mesh filters that must be rinsed and cleaned after each use.
French Press
- Composed of a glass or stainless steel decanter with a plunger and a wire mesh filter at the bottom.
- Infuses ground coffee beans in hot water and then filtered through the plunger with the filter.
- It results in coffee with an intense flavour and aroma, and a rich, smooth texture.
- It is easy to use and maintain and requires no electricity or paper filters.
- It is a more sustainable and practical option for making coffee at home or in the office.
Aeropress Coffee Maker
- It consists of two plastic cylinders that fit inside each other.
- Filter paper is placed in the bottom of one cylinder, and ground coffee and hot water are added.
- A plunger presses the water through the coffee and filter, extracting the coffee at the bottom of the cylinder.
- It combines pressure and filtration to produce a clean, smooth-tasting cup of coffee with more oils and less sediment.
- It is easy to use, clean and transport, making it an excellent choice for travel or camping.
Siphon Coffee Maker
- Consists of two glass chambers connected by a glass tube.
- Water is heated in the lower chamber, while ground coffee is placed in the upper chamber.
- Once the water is heated, pressure is created and mixed with the ground coffee.
- It allows precise control of the temperature and extraction time, which can significantly affect the taste and aroma of the coffee.
- It offers a unique and fascinating coffee experience.
Espresso coffee machines
Some characteristics of Espresso coffee machines:
- Preparation process: They use a coffee extraction process that involves pressing and passing hot water through ground coffee compacted in a filter. The water is heated to a high temperature and forced through the coffee in a precise and controlled amount.
- Capacity: Vary capacity, from home use models with a capacity of approximately 1-2 cups of coffee to commercial models that can brew multiple cups simultaneously.
- Temperature control: Temperature control is an important feature in espresso machines as temperature affects the taste and quality of the coffee. High-end espresso machines have precise and constant temperature control to ensure the water is at the right temperature to extract the coffee properly.
- Pressure: Espresso machines must generate sufficient pressure to extract the coffee properly. Adequate pressure in an espresso machine should be between 9 and 15 bars.
- Coffee grind: Coffee must be finely ground for use in an espresso machine, as a coarse grind does not allow water to pass through the coffee with sufficient pressure and produces a diluted taste.
- Milk frother: Most espresso machines also have a built-in milk frother to create steamed milk for drinks such as cappuccino or latte.
- Cleaning: Espresso machines require regular cleaning to maintain performance and prevent residue build-up. Many coffee makers have automatic cleaning features to make the task easier.
- Customisation: They have features that allow customisation of coffee extraction, such as extraction time, amount of water and grind level. These features allow you to brew coffee exactly as you want it and achieve the best quality flavour and aroma.
Manual Espresso Machine
- Preparation process: The manual espresso machine requires the user to grind and dose the coffee, press and compact the grind in the portafilter, and extract the coffee with hot water through the portafilter with the help of a lever. This is a more laborious process and requires more skill than automatic coffee machines.
- Temperature control: Manual coffee machines generally do not have built-in temperature control. Therefore, the user must preheat the machine and manually control the water and steam temperature.
- Capacity: Manual coffee machines can usually make one or two cups of espresso. They also take up less space than automatic ones.
Automatic Espresso Coffee Maker
- Preparation process: The automatic espresso machine automatically does the entire brewing process, from grinding and dosing the coffee, compacting it in the portafilter, and extracting the coffee with hot water through the portafilter. The user only has to press a button and wait a few seconds.
- Temperature control: Automatic coffee machines have built-in temperature control, which ensures constant water and steam temperature.
- Capacity: Automatic coffee machines usually have a larger capacity than manual coffee machines, as they can make several cups of espresso at a time. They also take up more space.
Capsule coffee machines
Some characteristics of capsule coffee machines:
- Easy to use: capsule coffee makers are very easy to use, as they do not require much skill to brew a coffee.
- Variety of flavours: Coffee capsules come in various flavours, allowing users to experience different coffee options.
- Easy cleaning: Capsule coffee makers are easy to clean as there is no need to clean the filter and filter holder.
- Fast brewing time: Capsule coffee brewers prepare coffee in seconds, which is ideal for those who need a quick coffee in the morning.
- Precise dosing: Coffee capsules contain a precise amount of coffee, allowing for perfect and consistent dosing in every cup.
- Compatibility with other beverages: Some capsule coffee machines can prepare other beverages besides coffee, such as tea, hot chocolate and cold drinks.
